Art 

Art education in European Schools has as objective to prioritise expression: the expression of feelings and emotions in the encounter of art, but also expression and practice in the use of different artistic media. Art education promotes free expression, the taking of initiative and the role of the individual in creativity whether it be in his/her private or public life. 

The arts allow for the encounter of other things with its ideas, feelings and experiences in creative image in music, gestures and movements. This encounter enriches the child and allows them to question their own interpretations and representations of the world, to allow them to depart from established frameworks and build cultural and aesthetic references. 

The arts contribute to the overall development of the child in the psychological, sociocultural, physical, and cognitive area. They participate in the construction of the personality of the student and help foster individual commitment to the group. 

The artistic competences of pupils can be developed through three types of activities: 

• Perception, understanding and reflection activities.
• Looking to develop techniques and building up a significant works reference.
• Creation activities.

In the artistic education curriculum, the contents are grouped into two areas: 

• Static art (i.e. painting, crafts, images, etc.)
• Moving art (drama, performing, etc.)

Music

The main aims of the music curriculum are to ensure the development of pupils’ competences in Music, their self-esteem, self-expression and personal enrichment, enabling each child to reach their full potential. The main principles are to ensure a holistic approach to the learning of music as a life-long experience, the cross-curricular aspects of music, the European dimension, learning through doing and more emphasis on the process of learning music than the product. The child´s motivation, enjoyment, their active role in the process of learning and responsibility of the results are important parameters.

Music education involves developing knowledge, skills, attitudes, feelings and the senses. Music enables the child to develop their knowledge in all areas of learning. The enjoyment of learning music is of utmost importance as music is a substantial part of our lives. A high-quality music education should engage and inspire pupils to develop pleasure in music and their musical competences and so increase their self-confidence, creativity and sense of achievement. As the pupils progress, they should develop a critical engagement with music, allowing them to reflect on their listening and creations.

Through music, children develop their understanding, make musical judgments, apply their new learning, develop their aural memory, express themselves physically and emotionally, and create their own musical ideas. They become aware about music through the ages and learn to understand and appreciate its heritage.

Through learning Music, the pupils develop an awareness of their unique cultural background. Moreover, in the multicultural system of the European Schools, music is very important as a means of intercultural communication and mutual enrichment.

The syllabus consists of three learning areas: 

• Perception
• Interpretation 
• Creation